Anxiety Medications Chart – Page 1

Drug Class Brand Generic Name Target How It’s Thought Benefits Drawbacks
Name Anxiety to Work
Disorder
Anticonvulsants Neurontin Gabapentin Social Anxiety Affects GABA. Usually effective Sedation.
Disorder within 2-4 weeks.
(SAD)
Azaspirones BuSpar Buspirone Generalized Enhances the Effective for many Works slowly.
Anxiety activity of people; less
Disorder serotonin sedating than
(GAD) benzodiazepines.
Benzodiazepines Ativan Lorazepam GAD, SAD, Enhances the Fast-acting, some Potentially habit-forming;
Centrax Prazepam Panic function of GABA. people feel better can cause drowsiness;
Dalmane Flurazepam Disorder the first day. can produce withdrawal
Klonopin Clonazepam symptoms;
(Used for Halcion Triazolam discontinuation should be
Children) Librium Chlordiazepoxide done slowly.
Paxipam Halazepam
Restoril Temazepam
Serax Oxazepam
Tranxene Clorazepate
Valium Diazepam
Xanax Alprazolam
Beta Blockers Inderal Propanolol SAD Reduces ability to Fast acting; not Should not be used with
Tenormin Atenolol produce habit-forming. certain pre-existing
adrenaline medical conditions, such
as : asthma, congestive
heart failure, diabetes,
vascular disease,
hypothyroidism and
angina pectoris.
Monoamine Eldepryl Selegilene Panic Blocks the effect Effective for many Strict dietary restrictions
Oxidase Disorder, of an important people, especially and potential drug
Inhibitors Marplan Isocarboxid SAD, PTSD brain enzyme, for patients not interactions; changes in
(MAOIs) preventing the responding to other blood pressure, moderate
Nardil Phenelzine breakdown of medications; 2-6 weight gain; reduced
serotonin and weeks until sexual response;
Parnate Tranylcypromine noradrenaline. improvement insomnia.
occurs.
 Anxiety Medications Chart – Page 2

Selective Celexa Citalopram Panic Affects the Effective, with Some people experience
Serotonin Luvox Fluvoxamine Disorder, concentration of fewer side effects nausea, nervousness
Reuptake Paxil Paroxetine OCD, SAD, the than other and diminished sex drive.
Inhibitors Prozac Fluoxetine GAD neurotransmitter medications. 4-6
(SSRIs) Zoloft Sertraline serotonin, a weeks until
(Used for chemical in the improvement
Children) brain thought to ocurrs.
be linked to
anxiety disorders.
Tricyclic Adapin Doxepin Panic Regulates Effective for many Dry mouth; constipation;
Antidepressants Anafranil Clomiprimine Disorder, serotonin and/or people, may take 2- blurry vision; difficulty
(TCAs) Aventyl Nortriptyline PTSD, noradrenaline in 6 weeks until urinating; dizziness; low
Elavil Amitriptyline OCD the brain. improvement blood pressure; moderate
Janimine Imipramine (Anafranil ocurrs. weight gain; sexual side
Ludiomil Maprotiline only) effects.
(Used for Norpramin Desipramine
Children) Pamelor Nortriptyline
Pertofrane Desipramine
Sinequan Doxepin
Surmontil Trimipramine
Tofranil Imipramine
Vivactil Protriptyline
Other Desyrel Trazodone Panic Affects the Effective, with Some people experience
Antidepressants Disorder, concentration of fewer side effects nausea, nervousness
Effexor Venlafaxine OCD, SAD, the than other and diminished sex drive.
GAD neurotransmitter medications. 4-6
Serzone Nefaxadone serotonin, a weeks until
chemical in the improvement
brain thought to ocurrs.
be linked to
anxiety disorders.
Key: GAD = Generalized Anxiety Disorder
OCD = Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
PTSD = Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
SAD = Social Anxiety Disorder

Disclaimer:
This information is for educational purposes only. Speak with your doctor if you have questions about a medication or are experiencing side effects from your medication.

Provided at: http://www.adaa.org/AnxietyDisorderInfor/chart.htm

Retrieved: November 29, 2004